AGP Executive Report

Coastal Living Costs: A new UNA/Idespo report says Costa Ricans feel coastal life is getting pricier fast—over 80% notice higher prices for food and basics, while 85% believe coastal property sale prices have jumped, especially in Guanacaste. UNESCO Conservation Push: UNED and SINAC-MINAE have started applications to create the Chirripó UNESCO Global Geopark, aiming to diversify tourism, protect geology, and boost local and indigenous livelihoods. Afro-Descendant Culture: San José’s 2026 Diaspora Parade returned as part of the Festival Flores de la Diáspora Africana, spotlighting Afro-descendant pride with Zumba, bike rides, and a major parade through the capital. Music & Pop Culture: The Costa Rica Philharmonic is staging “KING: Tributo a Michael Jackson” at Teatro Melico Salazar, with JP Castillo leading vocals. Local Music Win: Sonidero Barrio Fátima (Cartago) won ACAM’s Album of the Year for “SBF vol. 3,” celebrating cumbia rooted in neighborhood community. Tourism Growth Watch: Puntarenas is projected to welcome about 150,000 cruise passengers in 2026–2027, with more ship visits and big potential for port-area businesses. Education & Access: Costa Rica also opened a legal status path for thousands of foreigners, as the country continues expanding education and inclusion initiatives.

Afro-Descendant Culture: San José’s 2026 Diaspora Parade filled the capital with Zumba, bike rides, and music while organizers highlighted ongoing administrative hurdles and discrimination. Music & Identity: Sonidero Barrio Fátima’s “SBF vol. 3” won Album of the Year at Costa Rica’s ACAM awards, capping years of community-rooted cumbia. Tourism & Economy (Southern Zone): The region is shifting from banana monoculture to education-led, biodiversity-focused ecotourism—though access and digital visibility remain sticking points. Heritage & Community Events: Costa Rica’s cruise season outlook for Puntarenas points to a big jump in port activity, boosting local tour operators and coastal businesses. Education & Inclusion: Costa Rica is part of UNESCO’s ERCE 2025 education assessment rollout, with results due in December 2026. Public Health & Environment: Montes de Oca plans more apartment towers even as flooding from sewage overflow worsens, raising health and planning alarms. Global Spotlight: National Geographic Germany devoted 11 pages to Costa Rica, spotlighting routes from Pacuare to the Osa Peninsula. Local Arts Calendar: The Costa Rica Philharmonic Orchestra announced “KING: Tributo a Michael Jackson” at Teatro Melico Salazar.

Afro-Descendant Culture: San José brought Afro-descendant pride to the streets with the 2026 Diaspora Parade, featuring Zumba, a bike ride, and performances tied to the Festival Flores de la Diáspora Africana. Organizers also flagged administrative hurdles and discrimination they faced while preparing the event. Music & Community Identity: Sonidero Barrio Fátima (Cartago) won Album of the Year at Costa Rica’s ACAM awards for “SBF vol. 3,” turning an eight-year cumbia-rooted neighborhood project into a national cultural milestone. Tourism & Place-Making: Puntarenas is expecting a major cruise jump in 2026–2027—about 150,000 passengers and more port calls—boosting short trips for local businesses. Heritage & Nature: UNED and SINAC renewed efforts to get Chirripó recognized as Costa Rica’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, aiming to blend research, education, local culture, and sustainable tourism. Policy & Accountability: The Attorney General’s Office issued an immigration alert to summon former legislator Pilar Cisneros for an investigative statement after repeated attempts to serve notice. Global Learning: UNESCO will release ERCE 2025 results in December 2026, with Costa Rica among the participating countries, focusing on reading, math, and science learning progress.

Afro-Descendant Culture: San José’s 28th Festival Flores de la Diáspora Africana brought the Diaspora Parade back to the capital, with Zumba, a bike ride, and a full day of music and community celebration honoring Costa Rica’s Afro-descendant heritage. Music & Identity: Cartago’s Sonidero Barrio Fátima hit a major milestone, winning ACAM’s “Album of the Year” for “SBF vol. 3,” turning neighborhood roots into national recognition. Pop Meets Symphony: The Costa Rica Philharmonic is set to stage “KING: Tributo a Michael Jackson” at Teatro Melico Salazar, blending orchestral arrangements with vocals by JP Castillo. Tourism & Culture Spotlight: National Geographic Germany devoted 11 pages to Costa Rica, spotlighting routes from Indigenous territory and national parks to the Osa Peninsula. Local Living & Housing: Montes de Oca plans more apartment towers even as residents report severe flooding and sewage overflow, raising fresh public health concerns. Global Human Rights: The UN General Assembly approved Nov. 27 as an International Day to Eliminate Child, Early, and Forced Marriage, with Costa Rica among the co-sponsors. Travel Lifestyle: A new wave of “under-the-radar” Costa Rica stays highlights boutique ecolodges and wellness-focused travel beyond the usual resort trail.

Housing & Public Health: Montes de Oca plans more apartment towers even while neighborhoods are still flooded with sewage overflow, raising fears that higher density will worsen contamination and health risks. Immigration & Human Rights: A new report says ICE is increasingly deporting people to “third countries,” with Mexico the biggest destination and Costa Rica also receiving transfers, often leaving deportees stranded in unfamiliar places. Child Marriage Push: The UN General Assembly unanimously declared Nov. 27 the International Day for the Elimination of Child, Early, and Forced Marriage, with Costa Rica among the co-sponsors. UN Leadership Watch: As António Guterres’ term ends, the race for UN secretary-general is narrowing, with women frontrunners gaining momentum. Culture & Travel: Gaudí’s Casa Batlló arrives in Costa Rica via a public exhibition of 56 photographs plus music and events in San José and Cartago. Nature & Community Events: Costa Rica’s Whale and Dolphin Festival returns this weekend in Uvita, timed to peak humpback season. Wellness Lifestyle: A new luxury coast development at Punta Cacique leans hard into wellness, nature access, and resort-style amenities. Education & Learning: UNESCO is preparing ERCE 2025 results, a major regional assessment that includes Costa Rica and will be released in December 2026.

Education & Youth: UNESCO is set to release ERCE 2025 results, the region’s top primary learning assessment, with first findings due in December 2026 for Grade 3 (Reading/Math) and Grade 6 (Reading/Math/Science), including Costa Rica among the 18 participating countries. Human Rights: The UN General Assembly adopted an annual International Day to Eliminate Child, Early, and Forced Marriage on Nov. 27, with Costa Rica among the co-sponsoring countries. Costa Rica Culture & Heritage: A major cultural exchange brings Gaudí’s Casa Batlló to Costa Rica via an exhibition of 56 photographs plus public music and events across San José and Cartago, highlighted by a special concert featuring the Sagrada Familia’s official organist. Nature & Community Events: Costa Rica’s 16th Whale and Dolphin Festival returns this weekend in Uvita, timed to humpback season, mixing whale tours with cultural and sporting activities. Housing Reality Check: A new study says 81.4% of Costa Rican renter households face major barriers to buying a home, mainly due to down-payment and income limits. Legal/Immigration: Costa Rica’s Attorney General’s Office issued an immigration alert to summon former legislator Pilar Cisneros after repeated failed attempts to serve notice. Tourism & Lifestyle: JW Marriott Costa Elena Resort & Spa is preparing to open Sept. 10 as the brand’s first all-inclusive in Costa Rica, adding a new wellness-and-nature destination on the Guanacaste coast.

UN Spotlight on Child Marriage: The UN General Assembly unanimously set 27 November as an International Day to Eliminate Child, Early, and Forced Marriage, with Costa Rica among the co-sponsors. Chirripó UNESCO Push: UNED and SINAC renewed efforts to make Chirripó Costa Rica’s first UNESCO Global Geopark, linking geology, education, local culture, and sustainable tourism. Immigration Update: Costa Rica began a new legal status path for thousands of rejected or pending refugees; 98 applications came in on day one. English for Everyone: Open English was named partner for Costa Rica’s national English-learning initiative, aiming to reach up to 2 million free licenses over four years. Housing Reality Check: A new study says 81.4% of Costa Rican renter households face major barriers to qualifying for formal home financing. Culture & Travel: Gaudí’s Casa Batlló arrives via a Costa Rica exhibition of 56 photographs plus music and public events, while the Whale and Dolphin Festival returns in Uvita with humpback season. Wellness Trend: A new take on wellness travel highlights Costa Rica’s appeal beyond spa culture—more outdoors, movement, and real rest. Local Justice: The Attorney General’s Office issued an immigration alert to summon Pilar Cisneros for an investigative statement.

Costa Rican Culture & Lifestyle: Casa Batlló’s Gaudí exhibition lands in Costa Rica with 56 photographs plus public music events across San José and Cartago, including a special concert by the official organist of the Sagrada Família. Wellness Travel: A new wave of “wellness” in Costa Rica is less about spa schedules and more about outdoors, food, rest, and local traditions—plus a look at a retreat that blends restorative treatments with Costa Rican culture and spiritual practices. Education & Language Access: Costa Rica makes history by launching national English learning with Open English, aiming to reach up to 2 million free licenses over four years for people 15+. Immigration & Rights: Costa Rica begins a legal status path for thousands of foreigners, with early applications under a complementary special temporary category for some rejected or pending refugee cases. Community & Nature: The 16th Whale and Dolphin Festival returns to Uvita (Sept 4–6), spotlighting humpback whales and responsible viewing near Ballena Marine National Park. Culture in Motion: A Kansas State University group teaches and learns in Costa Rican schools, using English/Spanish and cultural activities to shape classroom practice. Local Governance Watch: President Fernández calls Rodrigo Chaves “president” on live TV, then defends the wording as a matter of respect. Global Context: Nicaragua’s constitutional reforms bar opposition from elections, drawing condemnation.

Education & Opportunity: Costa Rica is rolling out English learning as a national initiative with Open English, aiming to provide up to 2 million free licenses over four years for residents 15+—a big push for employability and social mobility. Local Culture & Community Reading: A Bilingual Free Little Library opened in Cambridge, Maryland, with Costa Rican director Dr. Lorelly Solano highlighting how Spanish books help families feel “closer to home,” tying literacy to Latin heritage and belonging. Public Universities Under Pressure: Costa Rican students marched in San José to protest a proposed FEES funding freeze for 2027, warning that scholarships, research, and student services could take a hit. Nature Tourism Spotlight: The 16th Whale and Dolphin Festival returns to Uvita (Sept. 4–6), celebrating humpback whales and responsible viewing near Ballena Marine National Park. Politics & Governance: President Laura Fernández addressed Rodrigo Chaves live on air as “president,” then defended the continued use of the title. Sports & Youth: El Salvador handed its flag to a 502-member delegation for the Codicader Central American Student Games in Tegucigalpa, with Costa Rica among participating countries.

English for All: Costa Rica is rolling out a national English-learning initiative with Open English, aiming to deliver up to 2 million free licenses over four years for residents 15+—a big push for jobs and mobility. Education Shake-Up: Minister of Education Viviane Morales resigned just weeks after taking office, citing a family situation and turning the spotlight back on how stable education leadership will be. Student Voices: Public university students marched in San José to protest a proposed FEES funding freeze for 2027, warning scholarships, research, and student services could take a hit. Whale Season in Uvita: The 16th Whale and Dolphin Festival in Costa Ballena (Sept. 4–6) spotlights humpback whales in Bahía Ballena, with a focus on responsible, sustainable viewing. Culture & Community Abroad: A bilingual Free Little Library opened in Cambridge, Maryland, with Costa Rican-born director Dr. Lorelly Solano highlighting pride in Spanish-language stories and heritage. Local Nature & Tourism: Arenal-Fortuna in San Carlos won an Ibero-American “Mature Sustainable Destination” award, celebrating community-led sustainability and tourism value. Faith & Leadership: Liberia’s Rev. Dr. Jerry Kulah was elected Global Methodist bishop, marking a historic leadership step for the denomination. Tech Transparency: Peptides Costa Rica announced a new transparency standard, expanding batch/lot identification and making certificates of analysis easier to access amid growing market scrutiny.

Student Sports & Youth Culture: El Salvador officially handed over its flag for the Codicader Secondary Level Central American Student Games in Tegucigalpa, with Costa Rica among the participating countries and 502 students competing across 20 sports. Wellness & Local Tradition: A Costa Rica retreat at Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique frames luxury as cultural reconnection—moon rhythms, cacao/coffee origins, rainforest walking, and restorative treatments. Happiness & Lifestyle: Costa Rica climbs to 4th in the 2026 World Happiness Report, tied to long-running choices like investing in education and healthcare after abolishing the military, plus Blue Zone habits in Nicoya. Tech, Money & Community: Félix Pago closes a $200M Series C and plans to expand beyond remittances into lending and savings for Latino immigrants in the US. Culture & Family Reading: Costa Rican author Nidia Moreno turns a centuries-spanning Borbón-Pérez-Moreno family journey into a children’s book, The Magic Trunk of Andrés Borbón. Local Business Transparency: Peptides Costa Rica rolls out a new transparency standard with clearer batch/lot IDs and easier access to certificates of analysis amid growing scrutiny. Education Workers: Costa Rica is included in the I-BEST health and well-being survey of education staff, with results set to be unveiled in Paris on Nov. 20.

Afro-Costa Rican Culture: Costa Rica marked Día de la Persona Negra y la Cultura Afrocostarricense with a major Grand Gala Parade in Limón, spotlighting calypso, dance, costumes, food, and community pride. Sustainable Tourism: Arenal Fortuna (San Carlos) won Ibero-America recognition as a “Mature Sustainable Destination,” praising local collaboration that turns tourism into long-term community well-being. Youth & Faith Service: Catholic high school students from Dallas carried out a mission in Santa María de Dota, helping rebuild church spaces and support local parish projects. Pop Culture & Community Events: Comic Con Costa Rica returns Oct. 24–25 with international guests, gaming zones, and expanded free family activities at the Costa Rica Convention Center. Tech & Transparency: Peptides Costa Rica rolled out a new transparency standard—batch/lot ID, easier COA access, stronger supplier checks—amid growing national scrutiny of the peptide market. Education Watch: Costa Rica’s Hello Brete free English program is seeing major dropout concerns, with 99,000 learners leaving within months, raising questions about the self-directed model.

Afro-Costa Rican Pride: Costa Rica marked Día de la Persona Negra y la Cultura Afrocostarricense with major Limón celebrations, including the Grand Gala Parade 2026, spotlighting Afro-descendant heritage through music, dance, food, and community gatherings. Pop Culture & Family Fun: Comic Con Costa Rica returns Oct. 24–25 at the Costa Rica Convention Center with international guests tied to One Piece, Sonic, Arcane, and more, plus expanded free activities and interactive zones. Tech & Connectivity: Tarana Wireless and Itellum demonstrated live 1 Gbps fixed wireless access in Costa Rica, supported by SUTEL’s new 6 GHz standard power framework aimed at closing connectivity gaps. Work & Policy: Costa Rican lawmakers moved to exclude public sector employees from a proposed 4×3 work schedule reform that would otherwise allow up to 12-hour days in certain private-sector settings. Health Innovation: The CCSS performed Costa Rica’s first 3D-printed personalized cranial prosthesis, using patient-specific imaging to create a custom cranioplasty device. Education Watch: A report flags steep dropout rates in Costa Rica’s free Hello Brete English program, raising questions about the self-directed model’s retention. Culture & Reading: A piece on Costa Rica Reads points to book consumption gains driven by youth and seniors, even as overall reading rates lag. Afro-Descendant Legacy: Another feature digs into the lasting legacy of Afro-descendant culture in Costa Rica, connecting history, struggle, and pride.

English Education Shock: Costa Rica’s Hello Brete free English program saw 99,000 drop out in four months (about a 48% dropout rate), raising alarms about self-directed online learning and whether INA evaluated retention before scaling. Pop Culture & Family Fun: Comic Con Costa Rica returns Oct. 24–25 at the Costa Rica Convention Center with international guests tied to One Piece, Sonic, Arcane, and more, plus expanded free activities and interactive zones. Medical Innovation: Costa Rica’s CCSS performed the first 3D-printed, personalized cranial prosthesis made in-house, using digital skull reconstruction for a better fit in cranioplasty. Labor Policy Debate: Lawmakers advanced a “4×3” 12-hour workday reform but excluded public sector employees, limiting the schedule to parts of the private sector. Independence Traditions: For the Sept. 15, 205th anniversary, the Independence Torch relay will cover about 378 km to Cartago with thousands of police, Red Cross volunteers, and roughly 22,000 students. Afro-Caribbean Heritage: Limón’s Afro-descendant community marks Black Person and Afro-Costa Rican Culture Day by tracing roots to 1872 arrivals and celebrating ongoing cultural strength.

Independence Celebrations: Costa Rica is gearing up for its 205th anniversary on Sept. 15, with the “La Antorcha de la Independencia” relay covering about 378 km to Cartago—escorted by thousands of police, Red Cross volunteers, and roughly 22,000 students. Afro-Caribbean Culture: Limón’s Grand Gala Parade returns as a major Afro-descendant cultural moment, with music, drumming, and Caribbean food celebrating heritage as part of the Day of the Black Person and Afro-Costa Rican Culture build-up. Afro-Descendant Roots: A spotlight on Limón’s Black community traces origins to the 1872 arrival of free Black Caribbean pioneers brought to help build the railroad—highlighting skilled expertise, not just labor. Indigenous Worldviews: Community gatherings bring together elders from Boruca, Cabécar, and Huetar groups to share ancestral chants, natural medicine, and sacred cacao rituals while discussing land and language preservation. Reading Habits: A new national survey finds fewer Costa Ricans read books overall (down to 29.6%), but young adults and seniors are buying more books per year—especially as interest and time remain key barriers. Work-Life Policy: Lawmakers are moving a “4×3” 12-hour workday reform but exclude public sector employees, limiting the schedule to certain private-sector activities. Driving Rule Update: Costa Rica clarified that foreign-license holders can drive for the exact duration stamped in their passport (often up to 180 days), not the outdated “three months” rule. Education & Tech: A Glasgow church partnership helped Costa Rica’s Dream Center launch a six-month computer programming class, graduating 26 students who then moved into internships. Community Protest: Parque La Libertad faces layoffs and reduced funding, prompting a peaceful “tamboreada” drum gathering to defend its artistic, educational, and environmental programs. Deportation Watch: Reports say the U.S. expanded “third-country” deportations, including arrangements that list Costa Rica among receiving countries.

Afro-Caribbean Spotlight: Puerto Viejo’s Wolaba Parade returns with music, dancing, and Afro-Caribbean pride, timed with Costa Rica’s Afro-descendant cultural calendar. Afro-Descendant Heritage: Limón’s Grand Gala Parade caps Afro-Costa Rican Culture Month, celebrating living traditions recognized as national Intangible Cultural Heritage. Local Arts Under Pressure: Parque La Libertad faces layoffs and reduced funding, sparking a community “tamboreada” drum protest to defend arts, education, and environmental programs. Reading & Culture: Costa Rica’s overall book readership fell to 29.6%, but young adults and seniors are buying more books—plus a look at how “Heracles” is overtaking “Hercules” in searches. Driving Rules Update: Costa Rica scrapped the old three-month cap for foreign licenses—your passport stamp sets your driving deadline. Education & Access: Indigenous knowledge gatherings bring Boruca, Cabécar, and Huetar elders together for ceremonies, cacao rituals, and language preservation. Holiday Watch: Aug. 31 (Day of the Black Person and Afro-Costa Rican Culture) lands on a Monday for the first time, with specific pay rules for household and small-business workers. Health & Lifestyle: Blue Zones habits highlight everyday movement as a longevity driver.